More than 400 houses in Bogotá’s south and west were flooded during Monday’s heavy showers, according to city authorities.
Some of the worst affected areas are Fontibón, near the airport, and Bosa in the south. Kennedy, Patio Bonito and Engativa, the latter being in the north west, also experienced floods.
Emergency department DPAE reports that most of the floods are caused by citizens blocking drains with garbage, keeping the water from flowing into the sewer. In other cases, such as the neighborhood of Casandra, illegal construction is to blame.
“We have warned the people of this neighborhood many times. These houses are constructed illegally by pirate builders who don’t take into account the soil and surroundings. In this case the Rio Bogotá is very close to Casandra and when it floods, it directly affects the people who live here” said Bogotá police chief Alejandro Moreno.
No families had to leave their houses during the floods, as people could spend the night on higher floors.